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If Path of Exile 2 is crashing or stuttering on your PC, or has a black screen, here’s how to fix it

Our ultimate guide to help you get back in the game
Abdul Haddi
Last Updated on
If Path of Exile 2 is crashing or stuttering on your PC, or has a black screen, here’s how to fix it
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Path of Exile 2’s early access is now live across all platforms for those who purchased the Early Access Supporter Pack. However, just like every other new game, this one also has its fair share of issues. One problem many players are facing is the game constantly crashing or stuttering. It either happens right after you hit the Play button or after a few minutes of gameplay. And to make things worse, some players are even getting a black screen.

This can even happen to those who have one of the best GPUs for Path of Exile 2 installed in their systems. In some cases, you can fix the issue by performing a simple restart. However, if the problem is not going away on its own, don’t worry, as there are a handful of methods that can help solve it. And in this guide, we’ll go over all of them in detail.

Why is Path of Exile 2 crashing or stuttering on my PC?

Path of Exile 2 might be crashing or stuttering on your PC due to several reasons, such as:

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  • Outdated GPU drivers.
  • Incorrect graphics settings.
  • Overheating.
  • Temporary bug or glitch.
  • Corrupt or missing game files.

How to fix Path of Exile 2 crashing or stuttering on PC

Here are a handful of methods you can follow to fix crashing or stuttering issues in the game.

Step

1

Verify integrity of game files

Sometimes the game files can become corrupt or some files might be missing. When this happens, the game might crash. Thankfully, Steam has a simple feature that allows you to verify the game files and fix any issues.

  • Launch Steam and log in to your account.
  • Right-click on Path of Exile 2 in your library and select ‘Properties.’
  • Go to the Installed Files tab.
  • Select ‘Verify integrity of the game files.’

Steam will check the files and repair any corrupt or missing ones. This should help stop the crashes if the issue is related to game files.

Verify Path of Exile 2 files on Steam

Step

2

Update your GPU drivers

GPU drivers are important for making sure your graphics card works properly with the latest games. Intel, AMD, and Nvidia release new updates for their GPU drivers to improve compatibility and fix bugs. So, if your drivers are outdated, you will constantly face issues such as crashes and stuttering in Path of Exile 2.

To update the drivers, simply head over to the official website of your GPU’s manufacturer. Or, you can also use the dedicated application of your GPU, such as the Nvidia App or AMD Radeon Software.

The Nvidia App, Image by PC Guide.

Step

3

Lower the graphics settings

If you have older hardware, your computer may struggle to run the game at higher graphics settings. This can lead to crashes or poor performance. Lowering the graphics settings can help improve stability and reduce the chances of crashes.

For this, simply launch the game, go to the settings menu, find the graphics settings, and bring everything down to low, especially the shadow quality, sun quality, number of lights, and water detail level.

Path of Exile 2 graphics settings

Step

4

Check for overheating

Overheating can cause your computer components to shut down or slow down, which might result in Path of Exile 2 crashing or stuttering. For this, use a tool like HWiNFO. This will help you monitor the temps of your components. If you notice they are too high, turn off the PC immediately.

To prevent overheating, you need to clean your PC and replace the thermal paste of your CPU and GPU. On top of that, scan your PC using Windows Defender and remove any malware that may have its way inside your system. But if nothing seems to work and the temps are too high, then you either need to replace the component or throw in some additional case fans to improve airflow.

How to fix the black screen in Path of Exile 2

If, instead of crashing and stuttering, you’re facing the black screen issue in Path of Exile 2, then you can try these methods to resolve it.

  • Close background applications: Keeping multiple applications open at the same time while playing Path of Exile 2 can cause different issues, even a black screen. This is because the system will be unable to assign Path of Exile 2 the resources it needs to operate smoothly. So, open the Task Manager and close all unnecessary applications from there.
  • Check your HDMI or DP cable: If there is something wrong with your HDMI or DP cable, the game will give a black screen. So, remove the cable and inspect it. If you notice there are too many bends or cuts in it, then you should try using a new one instead.

In any case, if the issues are not going away on their own, then you will need to wait for the developers to release an official fix.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.